Cinema
Biographical drama
Goodfellas (1990): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Goodfellas is a 1990 biographical drama directed by Martin Scorsese, starring Robert De Niro, Paul Sorvino and Ray Liotta. It is based on Wiseguy by Nicholas Pileggi and Martin Scorsese. It runs 2 hours 26 minutes and earned $47.1 million worldwide. It won 5 awards from 13 nominations, including Best Adapted Screenplay at the BAFTA 1991. Critics gave it 94% on Rotten Tomatoes and 92 on Metacritic.
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- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 26m (146 min)
- Director
- Martin Scorsese
- Original language
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English - Studio
- Warner Bros. Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
The story
What Is Goodfellas About?
The premise of Goodfellas without spoilers, adapted from Wiseguy by Nicholas Pileggi and Martin Scorsese. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A young man’s journey into the world of organized crime is depicted in this gripping drama. He rises through the ranks of a Mafia family, experiencing a life of wealth, power, and violence. As he becomes increasingly involved in criminal activities, he faces the consequences of his choices, including addiction and betrayal, ultimately leading to a dramatic downfall and revealing the brutal realities of that lifestyle.
Goodfellas Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- gangster
- mafia
- organized crime
- rise and fall
- mob violence
- mob hit
- extramarital affair
- long take
- mobster
- police raid
- true crime
- mentor
+38 more Show fewer
- drug trafficking
- 1960s
- 1980s
- robbery
- cocaine
- murder
- in medias res
- brutality
- adultery
- psychopath
- bar fight
- informer
- new york city
- interfaith marriage
- fake commercial
- domestic violence
- corpse
- drug dealing
- prison
- drugs
- paranoia
- betrayal
- death of friend
- fellatio
- 1970s
- firearm pointed at the camera
- dolly zoom
- irish american
- freeze frame
- helicopter
- italian american
- nightclub
- heist
- crime boss
- interrogation
- marriage
- barbecue
- garbage truck
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Cast & crew
Goodfellas Cast
Robert De Niro leads the cast, with Paul Sorvino and Ray Liotta. Directed by Martin Scorsese; 5 actors are credited in all.
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Director Martin Scorsese
Also Starring in Goodfellas
· 1 more From the director
More from Martin Scorsese
More films directed by Martin Scorsese, best-rated first: The Irishman, Mean Streets, Raging Bull and Taxi Driver.
Ratings
Goodfellas Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Goodfellas 94% on Rotten Tomatoes and 92 on Metacritic.
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Rotten Tomatoes 94% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 97%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 92 Metascore
User score 9.0
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 85% User score
See on TMDB
Plot
Goodfellas Plot Summary
What happens in Goodfellas from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
As the day breaks over the gritty Brooklyn streets in 1955, a young Henry Hill finds himself captivated by the seductive world of organized crime. Drawn into the intriguing circle of Paulie Cicero, a local caporegime, and his associates—Jimmy “the Gent” Conway, a sly Irish-American truck hijacker, and Tommy DeVito, a fellow juvenile delinquent with a playful demeanor—Henry begins his journey as a fence for Jimmy. This partnership quickly escalates, allowing him to permeate the ranks of the criminal underworld, while the trio spends their nights at the illustrious Copacabana nightclub, basking in the heady mix of cigarette smoke and soft lighting.
Full summary
The whole story of Goodfellas, scene by scene
Box office
Goodfellas Box Office
Goodfellas grossed $47.1 million worldwide. $46.9 million came from the US and Canada and $127,063 (0%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$47.1M
- US & Canada
- $46.9M
- International
- $127.1K
US & Canada 100%
Rest of the world 0%
Awards
Goodfellas Awards & Nominations
Goodfellas won 5 awards from 13 nominations, including Best Adapted Screenplay at the BAFTA 1991. Its biggest night was the BAFTA 1991, with 5 wins from 7 nominations.
5 wins13 nominations3 ceremonies
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BAFTA 1991 5 wins · 7 nominations- Won Best Adapted Screenplay
- Won Best Costume Design
- Won Best Direction – Martin Scorsese
- Won Best Editing
- Won Best Film – Irwin Winkler
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Golden Globes 1991 5 nominations- Nominated Best Director – Martin Scorsese
- Nominated Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy
- Nominated Best Screenplay
- Nominated Best Supporting Performance in a Motion Picture – Drama, Musical or Comedy (Supporting Actor) – Joe Pesci
- Nominated Best Supporting Performance in a Motion Picture – Drama, Musical or Comedy (Supporting Actress) – Lorraine Bracco
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DGA Awards 1991 1 nomination- Nominated Feature Film – Martin Scorsese
Videos
Goodfellas Trailers & Videos
17 videos: 3 trailers, 6 clips, 7 featurettes and 1 behind-the-scenes video.
- Trailer Extended Trailer
- Trailer BFI Re-Release Trailer
- Clip Hide This
- Clip Go Back
Quiz
How Well Do You Know Goodfellas?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What year does the story of 'Goodfellas' begin?
Cars
Cars in Goodfellas
78 cars on screen, including the 1979 Cadillac Coupe DeVille and the 1961 Chevrolet Impala Convertible.
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1979 Cadillac Coupe DeVille Main role -
1961 Chevrolet Impala Convertible Important role -
1966 Chrysler Newport Important role -
1968 Pontiac Grand Prix Important role
Details
Goodfellas Also Known As
50 alternative titles, including “Buenos Muchachos” and “Τα καλά παιδιά”.
- Also known as
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- Buenos Muchachos
- Τα καλά παιδιά
- Sıkı Dostlar
- 좋은 친구들
- Les Affranchis
- Mafiabrødre
- 盗亦有道
- Maffiabröder
- Славные парни
- Добри момци
- GoodFellas – Drei Jahrzehnte in der Mafia
- Chłopcy z ferajny
+38 more Show fewer
- Good Fellas
- Gangsterët
- الأصدقاء الطيبون
- الرفاق الصالحون
- Փառավոր տղաներ
- Добри момчета
- Un dels nostres
- 好家伙
- 四海好傢伙
- Dobri momci
- Mafiáni
- Omad poisid
- Mafiaveljet
- Un dos nosos, მაგარი ბიჭები
- החבר'ה הטובים
- Nagymenők
- Quei bravi ragazzi
- グッドフェローズ
- Labie puiši
- Geri vyrukai
- ഗുഡ് ഫെല്ലാസ്
- رفقای خوب
- Os Bons Companheiros
- Tudo Bons Rapazes
- ښه دوستان
- Băieți buni
- Dobri fantje
- Uno de los nuestros
- குட்பெலாஸ்
- గుడ్ ఫెల్లాస్
- คนดีเหยียบฟ้า
- Славні хлопці
- Chiến Hữu
- Möhkəm Dostlar
- Wise Guys
- 盜亦有道
- Bomba oğlanlar
- ھاوڕێیە چاکەکان
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From the blog
Articles About Goodfellas
3 articles about Goodfellas. The latest: “Cinematography Techniques That Changed Film Forever”.
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FAQ
Goodfellas FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and awards of Goodfellas, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Goodfellas?
Goodfellas runs 2 hours 26 minutes (146 minutes).
When was Goodfellas released?
Goodfellas was released on September 1, 1990.
Who directed Goodfellas?
Goodfellas was directed by Martin Scorsese.
More films by Martin Scorsese Who is in the cast of Goodfellas?
Goodfellas stars Robert De Niro, Paul Sorvino and Ray Liotta, among 5 credited actors.
How much did Goodfellas make at the box office?
Goodfellas grossed $47.1 million worldwide ($46.9 million domestic, $127,063 international).
How is Goodfellas rated?
Goodfellas has 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, 92 on Metacritic and 85% on TMDB.
Is Goodfellas based on a book?
Yes. Goodfellas is adapted from Wiseguy by Nicholas Pileggi and Martin Scorsese.
What awards did Goodfellas win?
Goodfellas won 5 awards from 13 nominations, including Best Adapted Screenplay at the BAFTA 1991.
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